BMW i3 Photo Gallery and Specifications Released

BMW i3 Photo Gallery and Specifications Released

The BMW i3 is the first electric car of the Bavarian automaker, and it seems to have just about everything to be an interesting choice for those who are looking for a small electric car to drive around in the city.

A few days ago, the specifications of the BMW i3 were made public along with a few “ghost” images of the key components of the car. Now we also have a photo gallery showing the car with only a few camouflage elements, and we can hardly wait July 29 when the BMW i3 will be fully revealed in New York.

The manufacturer promises that the BMW i3 will live up to the “Sheer Driving Pleasure” slogan. The rear-wheel setup and the optimum weight distribution (50:50) sound promising, and because the a 168hp (170PS) electric engine will be mounted on the rear axle, the BMW i3 will have an excellent traction. According to the official information, the car will have a turning cycle of only 9.86 meters, which is great even for a small car like this.

BMW i3The BMW i3 is all about innovation and weight reduction: its chassis is made out of aluminum, the passenger cell of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). This and the dozens of smaller weight-saving ideas add up to a curb weight of only 1,195 kg (2,630 lbs), which is very good for a sub-compact hatch. The weight performance ratio of the BMW i3 will be very close to small hot hatches like a Ford Fiesta ST, which is, again, very promising.

The centrally positioned lithium-ion battery of the BMW i3 can be charged either through a usual wall socket, or a wall-box supplied by BMW. If charged through the socket, a full charge takes approximately 8 hours, but the fast charger can charge the battery up to 80 percent in only 30 minutes. The range of the BMW i3 will be between 80 and 100 miles (130 to 160 km).